ELECTRONIC NAVIGATION AND POSITIONING SYSTEMS

Mr Ong Kian Min asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, in view of the fact that electronic navigation mapping software and positioning systems have been commercially available in other developed countries for a number of years, (a) what are the factors hindering the commercial development and deployment of such systems in Singapore; and (b) whether one of the factors is the lack of accurate mapping data and, if so, whether his Ministry will consider compelling agencies that possess such information to make such data commercially available.

Assoc. Prof. Yaacob Ibrahim (for the Minister for Communications and Information Technology): Mr Speaker, Sir, there are companies that are already providing routing information services such as digitised maps over the Internet. There are also some companies in Singapore developing GPS-based navigation systems for use on board vehicles. Companies which intend to also develop such systems can purchase accurate digital mapping data of Singapore from the Land Systems Support Unit (LSSU) of the Ministry of Law. On Government's part, the Land Transport Authority has implemented the traffic.smart system which provides real time traffic information over the Internet. The information from this system can also be integrated into current and future GPS-based navigation systems. The LTA welcomes companies to collaborate with it as they develop such systems. 2.00 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Question Nos. 27-34 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 14th November 2000.]